Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-07-21
The Philosophy of Slang.

''Thc everyday idioms Of the English
language commonly called slang are
not so worthy of unqualified condemn
alton as many prudish people suppose, y
observed a professor Of belles-ietters
to "a Mail and Express reporter the
other day.
They have a direct figurative sig
nificance and give scope to an inven-
tive fancy. For example, the express
sion You make me tiredp indicates to
shade the feeling of lassitude in
flicted by bore. Again, the phrase
What are You giving us? is merely a
tigurative way of expressing incredul-
ity. Many sanguinary conflicts have
doubtless been ayerted by its use, as
the rugged synonymous phrase, you
are lying, sir!" has been known to give
offense to certain eccentric persons.
Many slang phrases are the embodi-
ment of polite spirit When you are
out with the boys and exhibit in me-
teoric flashes the slumbering hilarity
in your nature, to be told that you ARE
intoxicated strikes a sensitive chord in
your breast; but to be accosted with
What an elegant load you have got,
brings a smile of assent and satisfac-
ton to your countenance every time.
Gentlemen never acknowledge to be-
ing drunk. 1t is still or Jag they
have on. The word drunk applies
only to tramps. They are synonymous
terms. Every acute intellect will rec
ognize this subtle shade of meaning.
Gentlemen of pugilistic procIivities
are very careful in their language
They appreciate the notifying effects
of slang idioms, and are particular to
employ them in speaking of their en-
counters. Who ever heard q champion
of the ring say that he gave his antag-
onist black eye or . bloody nose?
He prefers, in spirit Of chivalry,
more elegant terms, and will say that
he closed a pepper or tapped the
claret. If he knocks his opponent
down he will say considcrately that he
sent him to grass. If he gains a vic
tory he will not injure the feelings of
the vanquished party by Boosting that
he thrashed him, but will throw balm
upon his wounds by stating politely
that he done him up.
The parallel between slang phrases
and rugged English" continued the
professor, ''may be drawn still far
ther. No man is so devoid of fine feel
ing as to acknowledge that he has
pawned an article. 1t is less shocking
to hint with wink that his uncle has
it, or that it is in hook, IN even that
he has hung it up. These expressions
exhibit the deed from humorous point
of view. In all walks of life we find
this same endeavor at politeness. A
thief is called fly man or crook,
a bribe-taker is called 'bOodler. and
swindlers are called 'bunco-steerers
and 'sawdust men, This is as it should
be. The English language, devoid of
its iigurative idi0ms, is simply brutal.
This accounts for the birth of the word
dude.
1t is far more elegant than its SYM
onym, fool. The ruthless small boy
might hesitate ut the latter, but the
former he can shout out at the top of
his lungs whenever some trifie of hui
mainly may be blown across his path.
A slang term that has peculiar signifi-
cancc is II chippy chaser. This is APP
piled to the prosecutors of honorable
working girls. They stand upon the
street corners until some pretty girls
pass by, and then follow them block
after block talking in a loud voice and
otherwise Annoying them. 1t is graf
flying to know that they are. generally
left. This last expression is applica-
bic to those who fail to attain the OBJ
jects of their desires. The 'chippy
chaser, if successful in making the
claLdestlne acquaintance he seeks,
and in making an appointment for
some future evening, is, as rule,
stood mp. This means. in unyar-
nishcd English, that he stands for hour
after hour at the appointed place await
ing the arrival ut the expected female,
probably II Il violent rain or snow
storm, iur = 'chsppy chaser never
gives NJ boh'. " - lie honest girl is
possibly >lccIiaS n her bed.
Here again the politeness of slang
idioms is demonstrated. The synonym
of 'chippy chaser is the pitiable word
idiot, which is rather an unpleasant
sounding term to be applied to young
man. The inventor Of this idiom mcr-
its the hearty thanks of the brother
hood.
at is obvious" remarked the pro-
fessor in conclusion, from the fore
going exposition that our slang origi-
mates from the innate delicacy Of feel
ing which is characteristic Of Ameri-
cans, from the small boy up. The En-
glish language, when plainly spoken,
is harsh and jarring, and contains
many unpleasant words. Men of fine
feeling naturally express themselves
in figurative or, to be less scholarly,
sense. "-NeW York Nail
and Express.